@Brank
4231 PC, the 6th Aruzian War wages on. Vif’Ream capital is under heavy bombardment, their air force having suffered a devastating blow from Karrashian forces months prior. The precious few airships left in theater hold the line as best they can while reinforcements from the front rush home. The sacred temples of the Yon’Tra’Yem Pantheon lie at the heart of the city, maintained intact there for over a millenia. A stray shell devastates the Sanctum of Koro’nabii, all but destroying the ancient structure. This event convinces the High Matriarchs of the major sects that this war will bring the destruction of the Vif’Ream way of life, if not the Vaiaelon people as a whole. A decision is reached; if their faith cannot survive on Aruz, then perhaps it will survive amongst the stars.
4235 PC, preparations are complete. Four ships, each an engineering and technological marvel for their time, brought about by the waning yet still mighty influence of the major sects. Constructed largely in secret amidst Chiark’s asteroid belt, to differing specifications at the patron sects’ whims, and each measuring in the range of several kilometers. These vessels would spread those of true faith across the stars, far away from the rampant destruction of Aruz. However in the final days of preparation, the sudden mass migration of Vif’Ream citizens off-world draws the attention of Karrash.
As the ships go to depart on their indefinite voyage, Karrashian combat vessels enter an interception course, believing them to be terrifying warships of some kind. Escorting the civilian shuttles that had brought the ships crews aboard was a small attache from the Knights of Hadalen, and upon hearing the distress calls of the departing seed ships, they take what little fuel was left in their hastily combat-modified industrial Taroka and rush to their aid.
The well trained knights quickly dispatch their equally primitively equipped opponents, though the sprint to catch up combined with the combat maneuvering ensured they had nowhere near enough delta v to make the journey home. Instead of staying adrift and accepting their fate, the knights elect to board the nearest vessel, “Grace of Karep-Balas”, joining them on their starborne voyage.
Centuries later, exact date unknown. The Grace arrives in a system believed to have a planet suitable for colonisation located in what is today known as EQ-3. Scouting shuttles are sent down and initial reports seem promising, however the first attempt at colonisation ends abruptly when native large megafauna attack, killing all colonists. As preparations for a follow up attempt are made, the Grace drifts close to a gas giant in system, which turns out to host the nest of a spacefaring species of megafauna. The creatures attack the foreign intrusion when it shows signs of life.
The descendants of the original Knights of Hadalen, now equipped with far more advanced space combat Taroka, begin a bloody war of extermination against what, to them, are clearly the demonic forces of Rax’Thal. The war goes on for almost two years as the limited resources of the Grace struggle to track down every nest of the “demons”, all the while under near constant siege. Towards the end of the conflict, the Grace passes nearby to an unknown nest, the demons from which surge out and attack, managing to break into the ship.
The population is decimated, the High Matriarchs eliminated, and the ship’s systems irreparably damaged before the threat is fully dealt with. This attack leaves the ship without propulsion and most of its database destroyed, losing much of its knowledge and historical records. The Knights continue to wage their holy war for as long as they can, before the Grace simply drifts too far away from the planet for the Taroka to reach, let alone reach the habitable world they’d fought so hard to secure.
The ruling council dead and resources dwindling, the Knights declare martial law for the sake of survival, carefully managing the supplies they have left.
One century after the Holy War of Extermination, present day. Under the careful guidance of the Knights, the Grace’s population has recovered through planned pairings. Resources are yet strained, having to rely on the Grace drifting nearby enough to comets and asteroids to swiftly mine them before they are once again out of reach. The knowledge on how to repair the ship’s damaged infrastructure remains lost, only structural stability being reasonably restored. Faith remains, though hope dwindles…
